Kao Plastic Surgery

I had a ponytail lift type two with Dr Kao - my experience was incredible from beginning to end. I have never come across a plastic surgeon with the brilliancy, integrity & passion that Dr Kao is made of …. He truly cares about every single one of his patients & is able to create works of art. His attention to detail & level of perfection is unlike any other. Thank you Dr Kao & your entire staff.

$200,000. and UP for facelift? Shocked, I asked does this include my transportation to fly there and back? No. Does this include nursing service after -"Yes, at $5,000 a day after"...Does this include all hospital/clinic fees & anesthesia? She chuckled, "No that is just the doctor's fee"...when a face lift in Turkey costs less than $10K, you can see the arresting profit this provider makes. Although most of the reviews for Kao are good (most)...what he charges is unconscionable.

Very arrogant and disappointed since Dr. kao has expanded his business. He’s not a very nice person. Wanted to charge me 180 grand yes you heard me 180,000 that was his quote for me. I have it in email because I didn’t want to go on his social media and post my before and after pictures on his Instagram ! He overcharge his patience does Not want to be on social media! For just a ponytail lift

I came to Dr Kao for surgery one year after a dog attack (I love dogs - this is not a cautionary tale.. I couldn’t live without my dogs!). The dog who attacked me was sick - it wasn’t his fault .. something snapped in his brain. I went to countless surgeons trying to find someone who inspired confidence. I was told I should consider an Abbe Flap… live with my lip "as it was" (missing half of the upper lip)… that it could be "improved" but would never look the same … etc etc… A dear friend connected me to Dr Kao and I knew instantly that he was the right surgeon. He was compassionate, kind and he had a plan from the first time he saw me. I am now one week post op and even though I am currently wearing the Good Year Blimp balloon as my lips … I HAVE AN UPPER LIP!!! The swelling will continue to go down over the next year and I’ll post updated photos. My experience was MAGICAL. Every member of his staff is lovely - it’s like a magic wand was waved over the entire building. Seriously … EVERY nurse and staff member is aligned in compassion, professionalism and kindness. Dr Kao is an artist … he did what no one else even imagined. Besides being a brilliant surgeon …. he is an astonishing human being. There are not enough stars for me to accurately represent what Dr Kao gave me … he gave me my smile back. I am from the midwest and for me this was not an easy decision. It seemed like a lot of money to spend in pursuit of getting a lip back. Having now gone through this .. I can honestly tell you it was worth twice as much. Warning: I’m going to post a photo one week post op (taken in his office.. I was obsessed with his orchids!) and then come back to update the progress!! It of course looks absurdly unnatural but in time the swelling will resolve! I am not including the "before" photos as they might be upsetting for some.

Dr. Kao and his team are spectacular. After having breast cancer, I underwent a double mastectomy in 2012. I wasn’t happy with my results and didn’t feel like myself anymore. I have my own waxing business in Connecticut called The Waxing Spot and on numerous occasions my clients expressed how unhappy they’ve been with their mastectomies and reconstruction results. Sharing this experience with so many of my clients made me realize we deserve to find doctors that can help us regain our confidence and happiness with ourselves. Around 2021, I began my search for possible doctors who could perform complex breast reconstruction surgery. However, with COVID and a fear that my body would be butchered again I held off on my surgery. Finally in 2024, my daughter helped find Dr. Kao. During our consultation his confidence in how he could help me made me feel so comfortable and I finally booked my appointment for surgery. When I came to Santa Monica from Connecticut for my surgery their office was beautiful, welcoming, comfortable, and didn’t feel like you were coming in for an operation. The procedure went smoothly and afterwards I was given the best care by his team. Post-procedure they offered drainage massages, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and many other aftercare options. I healed amazingly and I have no scars at all. I am so happy with my results and the care Dr. Kao and his team have provided even after I’ve been home. This was a great experience and unbelievably worth it for the time and money. Dr. Kao’s passion, talent and care has allowed me to regain my self-esteem which I had lost for over a decade. I can now look in the mirror and feel like myself again. I am forever grateful for the support my husband and daughter have provided as well as Dr. Kao’s blessed hands.

Elective surgery comes with risks. Even when we choose the best surgeons, patients need to know they assume a risk. Most important is whether your surgeon is able to identify and fix a problem once one arises. Dr. Kao performed a breast lift and tummy tuck on me in March of 2021. The transformation was miraculous and I look beautiful. Regrettably I developed an rare and idiosyncratic reaction to the sutures, requiring three subsequent surgeries in the following 7 months after surgery. Dr.Kao and his team have gone above and beyond to give me the best follow up care and are committed to seeing this through to the end. Not only is he the best from a surgical perspective (his technique speaks for itself) he is genuinely caring. As evidenced by his wonderful staff, in particular the surgical nurses who are incredible, the practice exudes warmth and professionalism. Although he is expensive, I would say after my experience and knowing how much has been invested in me and my follow up care that it would be a bargain at double the price.

Im on my way to the 4th appointment to a diff Dr to fix his filler job under my eye. When I went to him to get it dissolved, he had an ATTITUDE and told me Im chasing my tail, and when I told him to look at my before pics for comparison he brushed me off. Also my chin is still numb for 2 years from a previous procedure. When I told him he said it was normal and walked out of the room. Originally he said expect a year Incredibly moody Dr. Unless your name is Kathy Hilton, stay away.